Frequent Travelers: Must Haves?

[preppy]

I have more questions about work travel/frequent travel.

What are some must have items that have made frequent travel easier for you? Are there certain things you need for flights/hotels etc? I am thinking along the lines of nice headphones or tech gear or certain types of luggage but any suggestions welcome!

[ECB]

When I used to travel for work, I bought doubles of all my bathroom stuff. From hairspray to contact stuff to shampoo to earplugs. Just all the little things that I was always afraid I'd forget. Then I just had my "overnight" bag basically packed at all times. I just had to worry about what clothes to take. Made regular travel a LOT easier.

[halfpint]

I don't travel much now, but used to -

a good shoulder bag with a crossbody option for carry-on
a carry-on roller bag with 360* wheels
if you need to carry a laptop, the very lightest weight model you can get your hands on!
noise-canceling headphones
very good hand cream and eye cream (my skin always gets so dry when traveling)
I also packed my own nice pillowcase and a small scented candle - it helped hotels feel a bit more like home

[halfpint]

Oh, and along the line of what ECB said - I went and scored sample sizes of all my face products so I could take them with me in my carry-on.

[raangoli]

Mar 25, 2014 9:13:50 GMT -5 ECB said:

When I used to travel for work, I bought doubles of all my bathroom stuff. From hairspray to contact stuff to shampoo to earplugs. Just all the little things that I was always afraid I'd forget. Then I just had my "overnight" bag basically packed at all times. I just had to worry about what clothes to take. Made regular travel a LOT easier.

This is what I do; I just have to add my clothes and shoes to the bag and I'm good to go. I've also come to realize that I have favorite "travel" business clothes as well that are easier to pack and won't wrinkle, etc. Now that I've figured that out, I can pack in about 30 minutes.

[Deleted]

Some of these are more for redeyes than anything else, but my favorite things are:

For the plane:
- Bose QuietComfort 15 noise-cancelling headphones
- Comfy compression socks for long flights
- Tempurpedic travel pillow
- Kindle
- iPad
- Healthy snacks
- Spinner suitcases in carry-on and large sizes
- Suit bag

For land/both
- Melatonin
- Travel alarm clock/white noise machine
- Vapur travel water bottle
- Foldable ballet flats
- Small cloth dirty laundry bag
- Longchamp Le Pliage bag
- Pill holder
- Shoe bags
- Reusable clear quart-sized bag that holds all my travel liquids (and I have a set of travel liquids that lives in that bag so I don't have to pack it)
- Violight Slim Sonic Toothbrush

For my phone:
- TripIt
- TripList
- Apps for every airline I fly frequently
- White noise app

For foreign travel:

- Credit cards with no forex fees
- Travel adapters
- Apple World Travel Adapter kit

[ewall]

Expandable rolling carry on. The spinning wheels are nice to have.
Computer bag that trolleys onto the carry on. Or if you will be carrying travel printer/projector/files, a computer bag that rolls and can be trolleyed.
iPad, basic e-reader, wifi hotspot, travel sized mouse, dedicated set of chargers that stay in your luggage.
I gave up on toiletries. I try to carry the bare minimum and use hotel shampoo.
Snacks. Always have a snack stashed somewhere.
Dedicated travel agent.

[boiler717]

In my carryon I keep a set of toiletries ready to go so I don't have to pack every time -- dry shampoo, razor, body wash, styling product, hair ties, toothbrush, toothpaste, face lotion, febreeze, hair brush. Essentially everything but my make up, but that is easy to toss into a zipper pouch after I fix it the morning after I leave. I skip bringing shampoo and condition unless I'm gone for more than 4 days and staying at a not very nice hotel. I also keep an emergency pair of underwear and a few protein bars and oatmeal pouches in the bag just in case I don't bring enough! Saved me more than once. All I do to pack is add my clothes, travel case of RX meds, and go. I throw some fun accent jewelry into a zipper pouch as well.

Speaking of clothes, I coordinate my outfits around a single pair of shoes and rewear items as much as possible. I only pack 1 set of workout gear (maybe 2 shirts) unless I'm gone for more than 5 days. One pair of PJs. 1 travel/casual going out outfit I wear on the plane if not going straight to meetings. Outfit Posts is a great blog of work travel outfits in a small bag.

In my OG I keep: tampons, band aids, blister stick, chafing gel, meds (Dramamine, melatonin , Advil, Benadryl, tums, anti-diarrheal, etc), pens, business cards. I have a small zipper pouch of chargers and a battery back for my iPhone (so essential!!) for all my devices so I don't have to grab those every time.

I pack the following in my OG for most trips:
Laptop
iPad
Kindle
Planner/notebook
Mifi

If I'm packing snacks, I usually bring protein bars, maybe an apple and a stick of string cheese (eat soon!). At the airport I usually buy a pack of nuts with my coffee to have later.

Long flights/red eyes I will toss in an eye mask, neck pillow and make sure I bring my Bobeau.

I keep all my travel info on my phone -- TripIt, apps for all the airlines/hotels/cars.

Edit: definitely get spinner wheels on your luggage! If you don't get an OG, get a similar bag that fits over handles.

[preppy]

These are great. Thank you! DH actually won a nice pair of Bose noise canceling headphones this past weekend so I can check those off my list but I am jotting everything down.

And a def yes on traveling with my own snacks. I am hugely concerned about staying healthy and fitting in exercise when I am traveling so I am going to have to do that.

The spinning wheel carry ons, what is the benefit of those over normal wheeled luggage?

[boiler717]

Mar 25, 2014 9:54:19 GMT -5 preppy said:

These are great. Thank you! DH actually won a nice pair of Bose noise canceling headphones this past weekend so I can check those off my list but I am jotting everything down.

And a def yes on traveling with my own snacks. I am hugely concerned about staying healthy and fitting in exercise when I am traveling so I am going to have to do that.

The spinning wheel carry ons, what is the benefit of those over normal wheeled luggage?

You don't pull the suitcase behind you, it just walks besides you.

[Deleted]

Mar 25, 2014 9:54:19 GMT -5 preppy said:

These are great. Thank you! DH actually won a nice pair of Bose noise canceling headphones this past weekend so I can check those off my list but I am jotting everything down.

And a def yes on traveling with my own snacks. I am hugely concerned about staying healthy and fitting in exercise when I am traveling so I am going to have to do that.

The spinning wheel carry ons, what is the benefit of those over normal wheeled luggage?

 
SOOO much easier to run with them and to maneuver around corners (they move left and right easily while normal wheeled luggage does not), plus if your luggage is heavy they're much easier to lug, generally.

[dexteroni]

Mar 25, 2014 9:57:22 GMT -5 v said:

Mar 25, 2014 9:54:19 GMT -5 preppy said:

The spinning wheel carry ons, what is the benefit of those over normal wheeled luggage?

 
SOOO much easier to run with them and to maneuver around corners (they move left and right easily while normal wheeled luggage does not), plus if your luggage is heavy they're much easier to lug, generally.

Yes. I will never go back to the old wheel style now. Anything that relieves airport hassle is worth having, and these definitely do.

[dexteroni]

Mar 25, 2014 9:13:50 GMT -5 ECB said:

When I used to travel for work, I bought doubles of all my bathroom stuff. From hairspray to contact stuff to shampoo to earplugs. Just all the little things that I was always afraid I'd forget. Then I just had my "overnight" bag basically packed at all times. I just had to worry about what clothes to take. Made regular travel a LOT easier.

I do this too, via a combination of sample sizes, duplicates, and travel size items that never leave my toiletry bag. Packing is so much easier when you don't have to deal with toiletries each time. I just do a quick scan to make sure I have enough of everything to last the trip.

[preppy]

Mar 25, 2014 10:26:46 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Mar 25, 2014 9:13:50 GMT -5 ECB said:

When I used to travel for work, I bought doubles of all my bathroom stuff. From hairspray to contact stuff to shampoo to earplugs. Just all the little things that I was always afraid I'd forget. Then I just had my "overnight" bag basically packed at all times. I just had to worry about what clothes to take. Made regular travel a LOT easier.

I do this too, via a combination of sample sizes, duplicates, and travel size items that never leave my toiletry bag. Packing is so much easier when you don't have to deal with toiletries each time. I just do a quick scan to make sure I have enough of everything to last the trip.

This is great advice. I have some of my items from my gym bag but having backups always in my luggage ready to go is a great plan and a good way to not forget things!

[L]

I travel every week for work and often go to middle of nowhere places where I have to take a teeny tiny plane so I bought a smaller rolling bag that fits under most seats or in the overhead bin on tiny jets. It's perfect for 2-3 day trips. I have missed too many connections waiting for gate-checked bags so I avoid it at all costs!

I also bought empty 1oz bottles from target to fill up my own shampoo etc in. Hotel shampoo makes my hair unhappy.

My iPad goes everywhere with me - I use it as a reader on the plane and for personal email, internet, etc since everything is blocked on my work laptop.

Other than that, I prefer to travel light so there's less crap to lug around an airport.

[awkwardpenguin]

I also have the travel toiletry bag that stays packed. I have travel makeup that I got as a free gift w/ purchase that stays in that bag too - makes life much easier.

I have a Ziploc bag with little travel essentials that comes with me - an eye mask, headphones, chapstick, hand cream, and gum.

My can't live without is an inflatable travel neck pillow - it folds up small inside my bag and makes flights so much more comfortable.

For fitness, I generally use hotel gyms, pack my bathing suit in case I can get a swim workout in, and have stretchy bands for strength training. I also have yoga gloves and socks that have little grippers on them so I can do yoga in my hotel room. I have a couple yoga apps on my iPad so I always have a workout to do.

[mbcdefg]

I keep this portable phone charger in my purse. You have to re-charge it after every use, but it's really handy when your phone is dying and you're not near an outlet: www.amazon.com/dp/B005NF5NTK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2O8XUSDOUH4PA&coliid=IVL1MHY2PM8CY&psc=1

I have a bunch of $5 pashminas and I take at least one along when I travel. It can be a blanket or a pillow on a train/plane, it's a scarf or wrap for your outfit, and for $5 it's NBD if I accidentally leave it behind.

Flushable baby wipes. Great for the bathroom, or for just quickly wiping off your hands or face to freshen up.

I have this 20 oz. vacuum insulated bottle. It keeps ice water cold for a long time, and also keeps coffee hot for many hours. The downside is that it takes up room in your bag, though: www.kleankanteen.com/products/insulated/klean-kanteen-insulated.php

Disposable shopping bags take up almost no room in my bag - I use them to separate dirty laundry, wet clothes, or dirty shoes from my clean clothes.

Cash and snacks - it suuuuckks when you want those things and don't have access to them.

[monsterz]

I keep my toiletries packed and with my suitcase so I don't forget them. I have duplicates of everything so I am not scrambling to try and find items.

A pair of plane slippers. They are compact and have a hard bottom. More comfortable wearing these on overnight flights and then I don't have to worry about stepping in something wet in the bathroom.

A water bottle. I drink a lot of water and I dislike paying crazy prices at stores beyond security. I take an empty water bottle and fill it past security at a drinking fountain.

A sturdy clear plastic bag for my liquids. Disposable baggies don't last long.

A portable charger. The one I use can charge a phone 3 or 4 times before it has to be recharged.

I leave my laptop charger in my travel bag at all times as well as a travel set of USB/phone chargers.

A book or magazine. I bring my tablet and have reading material on there but sometimes even though I have chargers it dies or you have to turn off electronics (I had this happen once due to weather). It is good to have something else to read or do.

If you are going to be working on the plane get a privacy screen for your laptop.

I travel with 1 pair of sneakers and 1 pair of dress shoes. I make sure that whatever I am wearing will go with the dress shoes.

[y4m]

In addition to a full set of toiletries, a full set of duplicate chargers, portable wifi card, adapters, etc. I also have a portable USB battery charger that will recharge my phone or any other USB device without needing an outlet.

[orangello]

If you'll be going internationally at all, Global Entry is well worth the $.

[Deleted]

When flying, I love this water bottle:

 (Images aren't working for me - google the Platypus Water Bottle) www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus/bottles-and-storage/platy-bottle/product

It takes up almost no room when empty, but can hold up to a litre of water (I fill it at a fountain after security). Doesn't leak at all.

[magdala]

A water bottle with a built in filter is a must for me when travelling. So many cities have water that tastes bad to me. Another idea is to buy extra chargers for your key devices (phone-kindle-ipad) so that you have a set of travel chargers in your suitcase. Also subscribe to the frequent traveller-flyer-hotel guest programs, many hotel-airlines go out of their way for frequent customers. It can be the difference in getting home-getting a room when there are cancelled flights.

[audette]

My biggest tip has already been stated - extra toiletries bag. But, I'll extend this - it's not just the products that you use daily to include in here - also include an extra hairbrush/toothbrush/hairties/whatever else you use daily beyond just products.

I just keep all my chargers in a bag that gets tossed into my carryon every time I travel. It's a Ziploc that is slowly dying and needs to be replaced soon (I use a Ziploc so it is cheap and see-thru and contained, not so it is airtight). Any of the liquids I like to carryon live in a small Ziploc that stays in my carryon bag, too.

A privacy screen for your laptop can be very important, particularly if you are working on something that ought to be kept confidential.

I have a couple exercise DVD's that travel with me, so I can still get a workout in when stuck in a hotel that doesn't have a gym. (you mentioned wanting to stay healthy on the road)

I am thinking of applying for NEXUS when I get back to the US (not worth it for me right now, but might be worth it for you). It is cheaper than Global Entry, but still provides TSA Pre-Check. It doesn't get you shorter customs lines if travelling internationally (except to/from Canada), but if your work travel is mostly domestic, this might work better for your purposes (primarily, getting TSA pre-check). I always have to check luggage when flying internationally, anyways, so Global Entry rarely saves me much time (I end up having to wait on my suitcase to appear and recheck before I can clear customs, anyways).

[wanderlustfoodie]

I keep a bag of the toiletries I will need ready to go so that whenever I'm packing, I don't have to take time to gather them all up.

I LOVE Global Entry.

I also love my noise-canceling headphones and my cashmere slippers for the plane.

[Deleted]

I don't use the most spendy makeup, so this IS an MM option for me, but I also have a separate makeup kit that I keep in my luggage. I just don't ever want to worry about missing the small stuff, you know? It also forced me to pare down (not that I was using much, to be fair) but I now have only what I need, nothing I don't.

Haven't read the rest of the replies, but lifesavers for me are:
- Always have chargers on my person, versus in checked bag (god forbid I have to check)
- Always have a fully stocked Kindle, I never fly without having at least 1 book on there I want to read.
- Pack your sense of humor! Travel can be so stressful, and I have colleagues who flip out about delays, etc. That stuff is just a fact of life. I met RBP because my flight to Chicago was delayed, so there may be a silver lining. I don't mean to sound cheesy, but if you go in with a good attitude, it just makes everything better.
- Get a super slim pair of workout shoes and WORK OUT EVERY MORNING. This alone will make you more productive, happier, better adjusted to whatever time zone you were in, and keep you healthy all day.
- I have made a list on my phone of all the healthy options in airports I travel through. Sure, sometimes I say "fuck it" and get the giant margarita and chips / salsa at the Fontera in O'Hare...but most often, I try to stick to a really veggie-centric, protein filled diet on the road. Boiled eggs are AMAZING for airport hunger pains, and they are fairly widely available, you just need to know where to look.
- Travel scarf...I always bring my giant cashmere scarf on planes in case I am cold, it is a blanket.
- really good eye mask is key too. The Bucky brand one is really great, as it is slightly molded so it doesn't press against your eyelids.
- Shoe bags and eagle creek pack it cubes! It's a fact of business travel...you occasionally need to open your luggage in front of colleagues. I use pack it cubes for all my bras / panties / socks and stuff, so I am never embarrassed or scared of a bra popping out when I open my bag!
- Above all, get really good at packing. You travel now, so you may be good already, but I can bring just a roller board and my carry-on for up to two weeks of travel. In business gear. I am at ninja-level packing, after a decade of business travel and very proud of it! Largely, I have to sacrifice shoes but not having to check bags, etc, is worth it.

And....CONGRATS on the new role!!! Yay for road warriors.

[Deleted]

awkwardpenguin, what brand is your neck pillow? I have never had an inflatable one, always worried about comfort, but would love to move away from mine which is giant and therefore RARELY packed!

[preppy]

Thanks everyone! I am going to get some of the heavily repeated items and then see what works for me from there. I appreciate all of the replies.

[babsbunny]

I want to repeat having a small variety of pills, like cold pills. I've gotten a cold too many times on a work trip and I need at least one 12-hr Sudafed to get through the day or night before I can visit a store to buy a ton more.

[audette]

Mar 25, 2014 19:30:31 GMT -5 babsbunny said:

I want to repeat having a small variety of pills, like cold pills. I've gotten a cold too many times on a work trip and I need at least one 12-hr Sudafed to get through the day or night before I can visit a store to buy a ton more.

Oh, yeah - I always have a few cold meds, antihistamines, and cough drops with me when I fly.  I always carry them in blister packs, so you can carry 2-3 pills of each type you want to carry and still have the brand/medicine on them, and they are easier to tell apart that way.  Cough drops can be awesome if you are just a bit stuffed up during take-off/landing to help clear your head enough to be able to handle the air pressure changes.

[Nonny]

I have a little travel power strip, which is helpful in crappy hotels without enough outlets, and is also pretty awesome when the power outlets are scarce in the airport. I'm able to make friends and hoard in on an outlet, but me and the person who was using the outlet both get to charge. This was great at LAX when some asshole was hogging up like 3 outlets for all of his devices.

I also take a roll of foam tape with me for blisters or if my shoes are rubbing. It rips easily unlike moleskin that needs to be cut. If you can stomach it, un-buffered aspirin is a good multipurpose item - you can take it for pain and you can crush it and use it in a pinch for pimples.